Flash steam eliminator



Sept. 14,1948, f c. q CARSON 2,449,055

FLASH STEAM ELIMINATOR Filed Sept. 7, I945 31 CLIFFORD a. CARSON Patented Sept. 14, 1948 FLASH STEAM ELIMINATOR Clifford. o. Carson, Washington, 1). 0.

Application September 7, 1945, Serial No. 615,063

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for use in steam heating lines and, in particular, to apparatus for use in removing flash steam from a steam line at the source of its formation and before it enters the return piping system of a steam heating plant.

Heretofore, it has been necessary either to provide piping of excessive diameters in order to accommodate and convey low pressure flash steam back to the heating plant, or to provide elaborate equipment for condensing the flash steam at some point along the line beyond the point of its source. As a word of explanation, flash steam is steam which is caused by re-evaporation when a condensate under a high pressure and at the saturation point enters a relatively low pressure area. A certain amount of the condensate readily changes back into steam, withdrawing heat from the remaining condensate so that the temperature thereof is lowered. Hence, it is this flash steam which must be conducted along with the condensate in ordinary heating plant return lines and for which compensation must be had in the form of relatively large diameter piping.

It is one object of this invention, therefore, to provide for'use in heating systems simple efficient apparatus adapted to extract the maximum amount of heat from steam circulating therethrough before being returned as a condensate through the piping system.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for separating not only steam and water from each other but also for purging from the unit air which may be entrapped therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for separating flashsteam at its source from the condensate and conducting the flash steam to a suitable condenser where cooling thereof takes place to cause complete condensation of such steam so that the condensate formed thereby can be readily returned to the lines.

These, as well the various other novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification and accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the triple functioning separator; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the triple function separator taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

With reference to the drawings, the triple function separator illustrated therein comprises a base ll, flanged cover !2, thermostat valve I3, steam trap l4, flash steam condenser l5 and inlet and outlet openings lfi-and ll respectively. The base portion l l is provided with two chambers l8 and I9, separated by partition 20, each of which may be opened to the atmosphere if desired by means of drain plugs 2| and 22 respectively for draining liquid which may be entrapped therein when the device is not being operated. Within chamber iii a steam trap I4 is mounted which comprises an inverted cylindrical bucket 23 slidably mounted on tube 24 and guided therealong by means of sleeve 25. To the upper end of sleeve 25, a rod '26 is secured at one end and at the other to a lever 21 which is pivotally mounted in the chamber at 28. .A button type valve 29 secured to the pivotal lever 21 communicates with valve seat 3! when the bucket 23 is raised,,closing the passage provided by opening 30 betweenchambers I8 and i9. Within chamber l9 and integral therewith is a bell 32 having a small opening 33 in the side thereof and an opening 34 in thetop through which one end of a tube 35 extends to communicate with the inner portion of hell 32.

Cover I2 is secured to the base portion II by means of a plurality of machine screws 36which extend through. flanges 3'! and 38 respectively. A suitable gasket 39 provides a seal between the two flanges when they are drawn tightly together. The thermostatic valve I3 is threadably secured to the base portion of cover 4] which cover, in turn is threadably secured to the top portion of the unit. The needle valve 42 is adapted to cooperate with valve seat 43 for opening or closing the valve depending upon certain conditions which may exist Within the chamber 44 of cover 4|. The hollow tube 35 is secured at one end to the top portion of bell 32 and seated in a recessed member 45 to provide a closed passage from the chamber 44 to the bell 32 when the unit is assembled.

7 To the top of the cover 12 a pipe 45 is threadably secured which provides a passagefor steam from the chamber [9 to a condenser l5 mounted in a suitable duct 4] within which air to be heated is passed. As .the steam loses its heat of vapori zation and condenses, the condensate returns to the low pressure chamber I9 through pipe 46. The condensate in chamber I9 is returned to the heating system through the pipe I! threadably secured in the opening in the side of said chamber.

So that the function of the apparatus may be more readily understood, its mode of operation is essentially as fol1ows:-.

When the heating system with which the apparatus is employed is to be used, steam passing through the lines causes the air trapped ahead of it to move forward to the exhaust. Thus, air is first forced through tubing l6,- which is connected 3 to the heater exhaust, so that it flows through the apparatus to the pipe I! in a path indicated by the dotted lines. However, as soon as steam and hot water condensate begin to enter the apparatus, the thermostatic valve l3 closes, having been set for actuation at a predetermined temperature, whereby the paths to be taken are indicated by dash lines for the condensate and by dot and dash lines for the steam. Chamber I8 gradually fills with hot water condensate until finally the overflow or excess passes through the open valve 29 and into chamber l9. However, should there be an excess of steam entering chamber I8, it gathers in the cylindrical bucket 23 and finally, due to the buoyancy thereof, causes the submerged bucket to rise to a point where the lever 21 is pivoted upward so that valve 29 is closed.

As steam trapped within bucket 23 'condenses, th e I bucket drops causing lever 21 to move downward, thus opening valve 29 to permit passage of the condensate from chamber l8 to chamber [9.

Due to the low pressure in chamber l9, some of the condensate which enters therein is caused to re-evaporate or flash over into steam. This is caused by the reduction in pressure on the con densate which has a temperature of saturated steam at the original high pressure of chamber I8. The flash steam formed thereby rises and enters the condenser l 5 in which it is cooled and condensed, giving up its heat to the air passing through duct 41, the condensate thus formed draining by gravity from the condenser l5 through pipe 46 and into chamber l9 from which it is expelled to the system return line 11. It will be noted that the small opening 33 in bell 32 is just covered by the condensate when the bottom portion of chamber 19 is filled. This opening allows for expulsion from chamber H! of any air which may be entrapped therein abefore water and steam enter to cause its displacement.

It willbe understood that the above description and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes in construction, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for removing at its source flash steam from steam and condensate conducting lines of a heating system comprising a pair of high and low pressure chambers within the high pressure chamber of which is received steam and condensate exhausted from said heating system, means within said high pressure chamber for condensing steam received therein, said low pressure chamber being associated therewith and into which condensate from said high pressure cham her is discharged, a heat exchanger for receiving and condensing flash steam formed in and for returning the resulting condensate to said low pressure chamber, and discharge means associated with said low pressure chamber for. permitting the return of the condensate to said system from said low pressure chamber.

2. Apparatus for removing at its source flash steam from steam and condensate conducting lines of a heating system comprising a pair of high and low pressure chambers, inlet means for providing passage of said heating system exhaust steam and condensate to said high pressure chamber, means within said high chamber for condensing steamreceived therein, valve means between said chambers for permitting the flow of condensate from said high pressure to said low pressure chamber, means for condensing flash steam formed in and for returning the resulting condensate to said low pressure chamber, and outlet means for permitting the return of the condensate to said system from said low pressure chamber.

3. Apparatus for removing at its source flash steam from steam and condensate conductin lines of a heating system comprising a unitary and interconnected pair of high and low pressure chambers, inlet means for providing passage 'of said heatingv system exhaust steam and condensate to said high pressure chamber, a thermostatic valve adapted to permit air entrapped in the system to bypass both said high and low pressure chambers, a trap within said high pressure chamber for trapping and condensing steam flowing therein, valve means between said high and low chambers for permitting flow of condensate from said high pressure to said low pressure chamber, means for condensing flash steam formed in and for returning the resulting condensate to said low pressure chamber, and outlet means for permitting the return of the condensate to said system from said low pressure chamber.

4. Apparatus for removing at its source flash steam from steam and condensate conducting lines of a heating system comprising a pair of interconnected high and low pressure chambers, an inlet for providing passage of said heating system exhaust steam and condensate to said igh pressure chamber, a trap within said high pressure chamber for trapping and condensing steam flowing therein, valve means for permitting flow of condensate from said high to said low pressure chamber, means for condensing flash steam formed. in and for returning the resulting condensate to said low pressure chamber, an outlet for permitting the return to said system of the condensate received in said low pressure chamber and a separate passage from said inlet to said outlet including a thermostatic valve through which air entrapped in the lines of the system may flow to bypass both the high and the low pressure chambers.

5. Apparatus for removing at its source flash steam from steam and condensate conducting lines of a heating system .comprising a pair of interconnected high and low pressure chambers, an inlet for, providing passage of said heating system exhaust steam and condensate into said high pressure chamber, a trap within said hi h pressure chamber for trapping and condensing steam flowing therein, valve means for permitting flow of condensate from said high to said low pressure chamber, a heat exchanger for receiving flash steam from and for returning the resulting condensate to said low pressure chamber, an outlet for permitting the return to said system of the condensate received in said low pressure chamber and a separate passage from said inlet to said outlet including a thermostatic valve through which air entrapped in the lines of the system may flow to bypass both the high and'the low pressure chambers.

6. An apparatus for eliminating flash steam from the low pressure condensate conducting lines of a steam system having a high pressure steam and condensate pressure separator and a valved passage connecting the high pressure separator to the low pressure condensate conducting line; said apparatus comprising a low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber interposed between the valved passage and the low pressure condensate line, a water sealed passage connecting said low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber to the low pressure condensate line, and means for condensing the flash steam formed in said low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber.

7. An apparatus for eliminating flash steam from the low pressure condensate conducting lines of a steam system having a high pressure steam and condensate pressure separator and a valved passage connecting the high pressure separator to the low pressure condensate conducting line; said apparatus comprising a low pressm'e flash steam and condensate chamber interposed between the valved passage and the low pressure condensate line, a water sealed passage connecting said low pressure condensate line, and means for condensing the flash steam formed in said low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber, said flash steam condensing means comprising a conduit connected to said low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber and means for conducting heat from said conduit to condense the flash steam therein, the condensate from the flash steam returning through said conduit to said low pressure condensate chamber.

8. An apparatus for eliminating flash steam from the low pressure condensate conducting lines of a steam system having a high pressure steam and. condensate pressure separator and a valved passage connecting the high pressure separator to the low pressure condensate conducting line; said apparatus comprising a low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber interposed between the valved passage and the low pressure condensate line, a water sealed passage connecting said low pressure condensate line, and means for condensing the flash steam formed in said low pressure flash steamv and condensate chamber, said flash steam condensing means comprising a conduit connected to said low pressure flash steam and condensate chamber and means for conducting heat from said conduit to condense the flash steam therein, the condensate from the flash steam returning through said conduit to said low pressure condensate chamber, said conduit heat conducting means comprising an air duct into which said conduit extends at an upward angle.

CLIFFORD C. CARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,583,136 Srulowitz May 4, 1926 2,163,667 C'rowther June 2'7, 1939 2,174,485 Zies Sept. 26, 1939 

